Any Advice? - Picking Up Freecycle Greenhouse

[vikkib]

Someone offered a greenhouse on freecycle which I asked for without much hope of being chosen but low and behold I have been.

I am stupidly excited as I thought it would be at least a couple of years of saving up before I could get one!

Just wondered if anyone had any tips or advice for me with regards the dismantling, transporting, storing of it?!

The owner sent me the pic below.



We'll be going to collect it on Sunday and it will be my Mum, Dad, myself and possibly OH (but not sure yet). My folks have a Ford Focus estate and I can hire the car club car but it's only a little Peugot type thing.

Apparently it's a little over 8ft by 6ft (actuals are 98" by 77").

Any thoughts really gratefully received!

[Madasafish]

search on forum.. lots of articles on this.

Also take elastoplast and brandy for the inevitable cuts.

[Alison]

Take gloves!

[RedThorn]

In the voice of your favorite TV Chef... "Here's one we prepared earlier..."

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...use_28902.html

Good luck in your venture

[vikkib]

Thanks guys!

Was so excited I didn't even think of the search button.

[lez]

take tools with you and a marker pen to mark where the different stays go. you will need a ratchet and 10mm socket with a 10mm spanner. the glass will be brittle so beware. if you take it apart yourself you will find it easier to assemble. once the glass is out and if you had a trailer or big van you could of loaded it whole without dismanteling. any way good luck and take care when moving it. I bet you soon run out of space and want a bigger one. I could not be without mine now and wish I had got one bigger. happy gardening.

ps. a small screwdriver might be handy aswell to undo the W clips and save your fingers and thumbs.

[rana]

Wrap each pane of glass in newspaper, then stack 4 or so panes together and selloptape them for ease of handling and safe transport. Take a pot or jam jar to store the glazing clips. A brush, should you shatter any panes. When transporting glass in the car I always throw in a couple of old blankets to help wrap and protect.
An adjustable spanner could prove usefull.

Take photos of the greenhouse before and as you dismantle, so you have a reference when re-assembling.

The more space you have available in which to lay it out in your garden the better.

Don't rush the job, take time and consideration.

[vikkib]

Thanks again guys!

I've got a list of stuff to take and I'm adding to it as people suggest things too.

I won't be re-assembling in for a little while as I have to prepare the spot where it's going at the end of the garden; it's a mess at the moment and needs levelling before I can get some weed suppressant down (bindweed - argh!) then sleepers to bolt the frame to. So I'm going to take LOADS of pictures and I've got masking tape and markers to help keep track of everything.

Unfortunately we live in a terraced house so even with a van/trailer we would need to take the frame apart.

Luckily there will be four of us and my Dad is very practical so we'll all be paying attention to him and doing what he says! No doubt he'll help out when it comes to re-assembling too (not to mention the preparation of the spot!)

I'm in no doubt it will be too small and soon very full but It will keep me going until I save up for a HUGE one... oh... and the house with a huge garden to match!

Sooooooooooo excited, don't think I'll be sleeping much tonight!

[pigletwillie]

I have moved several, firstly, stand the glass up when transporting it otherwise you will break lots. Generally I just de-glaze it, take out the central roof bar and the other shorter sections, unbolt the 4 sides and tie the lot on a roof rack. It only takes an hour then to re-assemble the 4 sides and refit the roof bar, plus another to re-glaze.

As glass is heavy I move them as seperate sheets, they are sat on the rear seat (on a blanket) and leant againt the seat back and strapped in. Buy more clips and bolts as some always shear off.

Tools wise

gloves,
cordless drill with 10mm socket,
10mm spanner
small screwdriver

[Bluemchen]

Make sure you take photos of every corner and joint so you can reference it when you get to put it up!

[vikkib]

Blimey! I'm cream crackered!

We managed to get the greenhouse dismantled without horrendous injury and only chipped two panes of glass. We got the main dismantling done in about 2 hours but then had to try and get the base out. The guy said it wasn't cemented ... it was!

That bit took ages, especially as we hadn't bought any tools for the job! We borrowed a pick axe from his next door neighbours and my sister kindly drove over with my Dad's mini kango so we got there in the end!

We've got the frame stored in the garden for now and the glass is in the living room!

I just hope we can get the ground levelled and prepared soon as I can't wait to get the greenhouse up! Probably won't be for three or four weeks yet though.

I just hope we can get the glass back in with as few breakages!

[daisybee]

Brilliant news Vikki! I know how excited I was when we were given our first greenhouse last year, I had to wait until the weather got better in Spring this year for it to be put up in garden and I've walked round grinning like a cheshire cat ever since! Also remember how exhausting dismantling was - poor you, hope you have a lovely relaxing day today, daydreaming about all the lovely goodies you can put in your new greenhouse!